Bunim/Murray taking Israeli drama into the US

Bunim/Murray has optioned Israeli drama series Screenz and will develop a version for the US market.

The US producer, which is part of the Banijay Group, picked up Screenz rights through its first-look deal with Israeli-US content company The Operating Room.

The show, which has proved popular on Israeli pay TV service Hot, follows a group of people and their everyday web and social network interactions, which expose both their desires and secrets.

“We are always looking for international formats from hotbeds like Israel, that connect with and engage viewers in unique ways,” said Gil Goldschein (pictured), president of Bunim/Murray Productions. “Screenz is a scripted show that looks and feels like a reality show, seamlessly blending a second screen experience with traditional, serialized layered storytelling.”

Israel has emerged as an influential format-creating territory in recent years. Scripted shows that have originated from the country include In Treatment, which has been remade in the US and Europe, and Prisoners of War, which was the inspiration for hit US cable series Homeland. New CBS series Hostages is also based on an Israeli script – albeit on that hadn’t previously made it to air.